Lyon rams home white-ball case

Isabelle Westbury is a writer for cricket.com.au. She has worked as a freelance cricket and politics writer for The Telegraph, The Independent, The Age and The Guardian. She is also the captain of Middlesex CCC.

Lyon's fantastic five

He made his intentions clear from the outset.

"I was disappointed," said Nathan Lyon, after being overlooked for Australia's squad for the limited-overs series against England earlier this year.

"There's no point hiding behind it; I want to be the No.1 spinner in all three formats."

From grade cricketer to Test cricketer in a year, Lyon has proved many a critic wrong in becoming Australia's best, most consistent spinner since Shane Warne in the red ball arena. The pink ball proved an easier nut to crack. The white ball, however, continues to remain elusive.

When Lyon picked up 1-28 in the Sydney Sixers' opener against the Thunder last week, the headlines started in earnest. "A handy opening audition," read one.

It wasn't a spectacular outing for the off-spinner, but already he was being deemed worthy. If only he could produce something that really was spectacular. The stage was set.

Opening the bowling in Sunday's game, the second of the Sixers' BBL|05 campaign, Lyon started with three probing dot balls. The pressure took its toll and Hobart Hurricanes captain Tim Paine slotted the next delivery down mid-wicket's throat.

Glenn Maxwell, bringing his explosive all-round game to the side, was deemed sufficient as the lone spinner for this year's World Cup. When Australia wanted something different, they opted for Xavier Doherty, his left-arm spin turning it in the opposite direction to Maxwell.

"You just pick your best bowlers," said Haddin on a day the Sixers selected three, with Botha and O'Keefe joining Lyon.

"Nathan can't do anything more at the moment. He's doing all the right things when he gets the opportunity to play white-ball cricket.

"Selection is the easy part. He's just got to keep performing when he gets the chance."

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